A leading international advocacy group has called on Pakistan to immediately suspend the forced deportation of Afghan refugees, warning that the policy is placing thousands at serious risk amid worsening conditions in Afghanistan.

In a statement, Refugees International said Pakistan has intensified mass deportations in recent weeks, describing the move as both unlawful and dangerous.

According to the group, more than 146,000 Afghans have been deported so far in 2026, following over one million forced returns in 2025. The pace of deportations has accelerated since the reopening of the Torkham border crossing on March 31.

The expulsions are part of Pakistan’s “Illegal Foreigners’ Repatriation Plan,” launched in October 2023. Rights advocates argue that the policy fails to account for the severe risks facing returnees, particularly women, journalists, and former civil society workers, many of whom could face arrest, persecution, or worse upon return.

“Afghans being forced back are not just migrants—they are people who may face immediate danger,” the statement said, citing cases of arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, and extrajudicial killings in Afghanistan.

The situation is further complicated by legal uncertainty surrounding Afghan refugees in Pakistan. Millions have lived in the country for decades, including those holding Proof of Registration (PoR) cards or Afghan Citizen Cards. However, the suspension of PoR renewals and visa extensions has left large numbers without legal status, exposing them to deportation.

Refugees International estimates that more than 1.3 million Afghans became undocumented after PoR cards stopped being renewed in 2025, while nearly two million now face the risk of removal.

Rights groups say the deportations may violate the principle of non-refoulement, a cornerstone of international law that prohibits returning individuals to countries where they face serious threats to their lives or freedom.

They also warned that the expulsions could be linked to broader tensions between Pakistan and Afghan authorities, urging that refugees should not be used as leverage in political disputes.

Refugees International called on Pakistan to immediately halt forced deportations and restore legal protections for Afghan nationals, including the renewal of residency documents and visas.

The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) has sharply criticized the United Nations’ sanctions regime following the latest update to listings targeting senior leaders, calling the measures “unreasonable and ineffective.”

Speaking in response to the move, Islamic Emirate spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said the continued use of sanctions reflects a failure of policy and analysis. He argued that repeating such measures “lacks logic” and suggests that international bodies have not properly assessed their impact.

Mujahid said the move ultimately harms ordinary Afghans rather than decision-makers, warning that restrictions placed on individuals extend to government institutions and broader society. “These actions undermine the rights of the people,” he said, adding that there is no clear or justified basis for maintaining or expanding the measures.

He also described the sanctions as a tool of political pressure, claiming decisions are made without meaningful consultation with Afghan authorities and lack transparency.

The comments came after the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) announced updates to its sanctions list as part of ongoing enforcement efforts. The council’s 1988 Sanctions Committee confirmed revisions to identifying details for four senior IEA officials: Mohammad Hassan Akhund, Abdul Ghani Baradar, Amir Khan Muttaqi, and Hedayatullah Badri.

The changes do not impose new sanctions but update aliases and personal information to improve enforcement of existing measures, including asset freezes, travel bans, and arms embargoes.

For example, Mohammad Hassan Akhund is also listed under “Mullah Haji,” while Hedayatullah Badri is identified as “Gul Agha Ishaqzai,” names associated with their previous roles.

UN officials say such updates are necessary to maintain the accuracy of the consolidated sanctions list used globally by governments and financial institutions.

The revisions follow a broader review last month covering 22 IEA figures, reaffirming their designation under the sanctions regime. More than 30 individuals remain listed, including Sirajuddin Haqqani, Abdul Salam Hanafi, and Abdul Haq Wasiq.

However, Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada continues to be absent from the list, despite repeated updates.

The sanctions framework – maintained under UN authority and binding on all member states – has recently been extended for another year, ensuring continued monitoring of IEA-linked individuals and entities.

While largely procedural, the latest update highlights ongoing international pressure on the IEA leadership, even as the group seeks greater diplomatic engagement.

It also comes amid scrutiny over foreign travel by sanctioned officials, including Abdul Ghani Baradar and Amir Khan Muttaqi, raising questions about enforcement of the restrictions.

Regional security concerns linked to Afghanistan were the focus of high-level talks between the secretary general of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, Imangali Tasmagambetov, and Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in Astana this week.

The meeting, held under the framework of the CSTO, addressed ongoing risks along Afghanistan’s northern borders, particularly the frontier with Tajikistan.

Officials reviewed progress on joint efforts to strengthen border security, with further meetings of foreign and defense ministers expected in the coming months.

Since the Islamic Emirate’s return to power in 2021, Central Asian countries have remained concerned about potential spillover threats, including militancy and instability along shared borders.

IEA officials, including Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, have sought to reassure neighboring states that Afghan territory will not be used to threaten regional security. However, organizations such as the Commonwealth of Independent States continue to warn that conditions in Afghanistan could pose medium-term risks to border stability.

Regional partners are now exploring additional measures to contain potential threats while maintaining security along their external frontiers.